Bubba Wallace, who failed to make the Playoffs during the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season, will have a new voice in his ear next season as Charles Denike will take over as the crew chief of the No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota Camry XSE in 2025.
Denike, who has led the No. 19 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing team to a very successful 2024 season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, is elated at the opportunity to be a NASCAR Cup Series crew chief for Wallace at 23XI Racing.
“I am excited for the 2025 season with the No. 23 team and to work with Bubba and all of 23XI Racing beginning in the offseason,” Denike said in a team press release. “Bubba is a proven winner, and I believe we will bring out the best in each other. Thank you to Michael, Denny, and Dave for the opportunity to join the 23XI family. They have built an incredible culture at Airspeed.
“I am a believer that winning is a process. When you step foot into Airspeed, you see the tools and resources that it takes to win and are surrounded by people with the same vision and mindset. I am looking forward to this next chapter and to be able to contribute to 23XI’s growth and journey to winning championships.”
Bootie Barker, who has served as Wallace’s crew chief since the 29th race of the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season when he took over for Michael Wheeler, will finish out the season as Wallace’s crew chief. Barker will take on a different role within the competition leadership team at 23XI Racing to help the team prepare cars, and strategize for races. Barker will work out of the Airspeed race shop in Huntersville, NC.
Barker says the decision to remain with 23XI Racing is one that he made out of loyalty, just as the team has been loyal to him.
“23XI has been good to me, and I hope I have been as good for 23XI,” said Barker. “Loyalty is important to me and I will continue to do all I can in my new role to help everyone here succeed. I was fortunate to be a part of 23XI’s inception, and I look forward to being a part of the team’s continued journey.”
23XI Racing says Barker has played an integral role in the development of the No. 23 team, and his wealth of knowledge within the sport will continue to pay dividends for the team for years to come.
“Since joining 23XI, Bootie has provided Bubba and the No. 23 crew with the leadership and confidence they needed to grow into the team they are today,” said Dave Rogers, 23XI Director of Competition. “As we began to look ahead to next season, we decided that Bootie’s experience would best serve the organization in a different role based at Airspeed. His input will continue to be an asset to our teams. We’re excited to welcome Charles to the organization and look forward to getting started with him at the end of the season. He will be a terrific addition to the No. 23 team and 23XI as we continue to work to be better.”
Wallace has picked up both of his NASCAR Cup Series race wins with Barker atop his pit box at 23XI Racing. While Wallace is sad to see his driver/crew chief relationship with Barker ending at the conclusion of next week’s race at Phoenix Raceway, the driver of the No. 23 machine is also excited to work with his new crew chief in 2025.
“Bootie has meant a lot to me and the No. 23 team,” said Bubba Wallace, driver of the No. 23 Toyota Camry. “We’ve been together for some special moments, and I’m glad he’s still going to be a part of what we’re building at 23XI. I’m excited to work with Charles and see what we can accomplish together.”
Denike, who served in the US Army as an engineer officer for nine years, got his first job in motorsports in 2012 as he became the team manager for Precision Performance Motorsports in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and NASCAR Xfinity Series. Denike would move to GMS Racing as an engineer in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for three seasons before being elevated to crew chief for the organization in 2020.
Denike would move to McAnally-Hilgemann Racing in 2022, where he has amassed seven wins over the last two seasons and is currently in a Playoff run with Christian Eckes in the Round of 8.
